We retrospectively analyzed of 211 frozen cerebrospinal fluid samples from immunocompetent persons in the Czech Republic and detected 6 Encephalitozoon cuniculi-positive samples. Microsporidiosis is generally underestimated and patients are not usually tested for microsporidia, but latent infection in immunodeficient and immunocompetent patients can cause serious complications if not detected and treated.

• MeSH
• dospělí MeSH
• Encephalitozoon cuniculi * izolace a purifikace   genetika   MeSH
• encephalitozoonóza * mozkomíšní mok   mikrobiologie   epidemiologie   MeSH
• imunokompetence MeSH
• lidé středního věku MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• retrospektivní studie MeSH
• senioři MeSH
• Check Tag
• dospělí MeSH
• lidé středního věku MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• mužské pohlaví MeSH
• senioři MeSH
• ženské pohlaví MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• Geografické názvy
• Česká republika MeSH

Total joint arthroplasty is a commonly used surgical procedure in orthopedics. Revision surgeries are required in >10% of patients mainly because of prosthetic joint infection caused by bacteria or aseptic implant loosening caused by chronic inflammation. Encephalitozoon cuniculi is a microsporidium, an obligate intracellular parasite, capable of exploiting migrating proinflammatory immune cells for dissemination within the host. We used molecular detection methods to evaluate the incidence of E. cuniculi among patients who had total hip or knee arthroplasty revision. Out of 49 patients, E. cuniculi genotypes I, II, or III were confirmed in joint samples from 3 men and 2 women who had implant loosening. Understanding the risks associated with the presence of microsporidia in periprosthetic joint infections is essential for proper management of arthroplasty. Furthermore, E. cuniculi should be considered a potential contributing cause of joint inflammation and arthrosis.

• MeSH
• Encephalitozoon cuniculi * genetika   MeSH
• encephalitozoonóza * epidemiologie   MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• Microsporidia * genetika   MeSH
• zánět MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH
• mužské pohlaví MeSH
• ženské pohlaví MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• Geografické názvy
• Česká republika MeSH

Microsporidia are pathogenic organism related to fungi. They cause infections in a wide variety of mammals as well as in avian, amphibian, and reptilian hosts. Many microsporidia species play an important role in the development of serious diseases that have significant implications in human and veterinary medicine. While microsporidia were originally considered to be opportunistic pathogens in humans, it is now understood that infections also occur in immune competent humans. Encephalitozoon cuniculi, Encephalitozoon intestinalis, and Enterocytozoon bieneusi are primarily mammalian pathogens. However, many other species of microsporidia that have some other primary host that is not a mammal have been reported to cause sporadic mammalian infections. Experimental models and observations in natural infections have demonstrated that microsporidia can cause a latent infection in mammalian hosts. This chapter reviews the published studies on mammalian microsporidiosis and the data on chronic infections due to these enigmatic pathogens.

• MeSH
• Enterocytozoon * MeSH
• feces mikrobiologie   MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• Microsporidia * genetika   MeSH
• perzistentní infekce MeSH
• savci MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH

Background: Microsporidia of the genus Encephalitozoon are usually associated with severe infections in immunodeficient hosts while, in immunocompetent ones, microsporidiosis produces minimal clinically apparent disease. Despite their microscopic size, microsporidia are capable of causing systemic infection within a few days. However, the mechanisms by which microsporidia reach target tissues during acute infection remain unclear. Out of four genotypes of Encephalitozoon cuniculi, only three are available for experimental studies, with E. cuniculi genotype II being the best characterized. Methods: In the present study, we tested the association between inflammation induction in immunocompetent and immunodeficient mice and the presence of spores of E. cuniculi genotypes I and III in selected organs using molecular methods and compared the results with previously published data on E. cuniculi genotype II. Results: We reported the positive connection between inflammation induction and the significant increase of E. cuniculi genotypes I and III occurrence in inflammatory foci in both immunocompetent BALB/c and immunodeficient severe combined immunodeficient (SCID) mice in the acute phase of infection. The induction of inflammation resulted in increased concentration of E. cuniculi of both genotypes in the site of inflammation, as previously reported for E. cuniculi genotype II. Moreover, our study extended the spectrum of differences among E. cuniculi genotypes by the variations in dispersal rate within host bodies after experimentally induced inflammation. Conclusion: The results imply possible involvement of immune cells serving as vehicles transporting E. cuniculi towards inflammation foci. The elucidation of possible connection with pro-inflammatory immune responses represents an important challenge with implications for human health and the development of therapeutic strategies.

• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH

Out of three genotypes of Encephalitozoon cuniculi (I-III) available for experimental studies, E. cuniculi genotype I remains the less characterized. This study describes for the first time individual phases of microsporidiosis caused by E. cuniculi genotype I and efficacy of albendazole treatment in immunocompetent BALB/c and C57Bl/6 mice and immunodeficient SCID, CD4-/- and CD8-/- mice using molecular detection and quantification methods. We demonstrate asymptomatic infection despite an intense dissemination of microsporidia into most organs within the first weeks post infection, followed by a chronic infection characterized by significant microsporidia persistence in immunocompetent, CD4-/- and CD8-/- mice and a lethal outcome for SCID mice. Albendazole application led to loss E. cuniculi genotype I infection in immunocompetent mouse strains, decreased spore burden by half in CD4-/- and CD8-/- mice, and prolongation of survival of SCID mice. These results showed Encephalitozoon cuniculi genotype I infection extend and albendazole sensitivity was comparable to E. cuniculi genotype II, but the infection onset speed and mortality rate was similar to E. cuniculi genotype III. These imply that differences in the course of infection and the response to treatment depend not only on immunological status of the host, but also on the genotype causing the infection.

• MeSH
• albendazol aplikace a dávkování   MeSH
• antigeny CD4 genetika   MeSH
• antigeny CD8 genetika   MeSH
• antiinfekční látky aplikace a dávkování   MeSH
• Encephalitozoon cuniculi klasifikace   genetika   MeSH
• encephalitozoonóza imunologie   parazitologie   MeSH
• genotyp MeSH
• imunokompetence MeSH
• kvantitativní polymerázová řetězová reakce MeSH
• myši inbrední BALB C MeSH
• myši inbrední C57BL MeSH
• myši knockoutované MeSH
• myši SCID MeSH
• myši MeSH
• polymerázová řetězová reakce MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• myši MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH

Encephalitozoon cuniculi genotype III disseminated intensively into most of the organs in all strains of mice, followed by a chronic infection with massive microsporidia persistence in immunodeficient mice and a partial decrease in C57Bl/6 mice. Treatment with 0.2 mg Albendazole/mouse/day temporarily reduces the number of affected organs in immunocompetent C57Bl/6 mice, but not in CD4-/- and CD8-/- mice. The application of medication temporarily decreased the spore burden at least by one order of magnitude in all groups. These results demonstrate that the E. cuniculi genotype III infection had a progressive course and surprisingly, Albendazole treatment had only a minimal effect. The E. cuniculi genotype III spore burden in individual organs reached up to 108 or 109 in immunocompetent or immunodeficient mice, respectively; however, these mice did not demonstrate any obvious clinical signs of microsporidiosis, and the immunodeficient mice survived longer. Our findings clearly show that the survival of mice does not correspond to spore burden, which provides new insight into latent microsporidiosis from an epidemiological point of view.

• MeSH
• albendazol terapeutické užití   MeSH
• antigeny CD4 genetika   MeSH
• antigeny CD8 genetika   MeSH
• Cercopithecus aethiops MeSH
• Encephalitozoon cuniculi genetika   MeSH
• encephalitozoonóza farmakoterapie   mikrobiologie   patologie   MeSH
• genotyp * MeSH
• modely nemocí na zvířatech MeSH
• myši inbrední C57BL MeSH
• myši MeSH
• Vero buňky MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• myši MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH

Of four genotypes of Encephalitozoon cuniculi, E. cuniculi genotype II is considered to represent a parasite that occurs in many host species in a latent asymptomatic form, whereas E. cuniculi genotype III seems to be more aggressive, and infections caused by this strain can lead to the death of even immunocompetent hosts. Although albendazole has been considered suitable for treatment of Encephalitozoon species, its failure in control of E. cuniculi genotype III infection has been reported. This study determined the effect of a 100× recommended daily dose of albendazole on an Encephalitozoon cuniculi genotype III course of infection in immunocompetent and immunodeficient mice and compared the results with those from experiments performed with a lower dose of albendazole and E. cuniculi genotype II. The administration of the regular dose of abendazole during the acute phase of infection reduced the number of affected organs in all strains of mice and absolute counts of spores in screened organs. However, the effect on genotype III was minor. Surprisingly, no substantial effect was recorded after the use of a 100× dose of albendazole, with larger reductions seen only in the number of affected organs and absolute counts of spores in all strains of mice, implying variations in albendazole resistance between these Encephalitozoon cuniculi genotypes. These results imply that differences in the course of infection and the response to treatment depend not only on the immunological status of the host but also on the genotype causing the infection. Understanding how microsporidia survive in hosts despite targeted antimicrosporidial treatment could significantly contribute to research related to human health.

• MeSH
• albendazol aplikace a dávkování   farmakologie   MeSH
• antifungální látky aplikace a dávkování   farmakologie   MeSH
• antigeny CD4 genetika   MeSH
• antigeny CD8 genetika   MeSH
• buněčné linie MeSH
• Cercopithecus aethiops MeSH
• Encephalitozoon cuniculi účinky léků   genetika   izolace a purifikace   MeSH
• encephalitozoonóza farmakoterapie   MeSH
• genotyp MeSH
• imunokompromitovaný pacient imunologie   MeSH
• mikrobiální testy citlivosti MeSH
• modely nemocí na zvířatech MeSH
• myši inbrední BALB C MeSH
• myši inbrední C57BL MeSH
• myši knockoutované MeSH
• myši SCID MeSH
• myši MeSH
• počet mikrobiálních kolonií MeSH
• Vero buňky MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• myši MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH

This study describes the prevalence and concentration of Encephalitozoon cuniculi spores in pork meat and evaluates the effect of sausage fermentation on E. cuniculi infectivity for immunodeficient (severe combined immunodeficient) and immunocompetent (BALB/c and C57BL/6) mice. Using a nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR) approach, E. cuniculi genotype II was detected in the meat from 2 out of 50 pig carcasses at slaughter facilities, with 60-250 spores per gram detected by quantitative PCR. Under experimental conditions, 3000 E. cuniculi genotype II spores per gram of meat remained infective for mice following fermentation at 24°C for 48 h. Based on these findings, fermented meat products should be considered as a potential source of E. cuniculi infection in humans.

• MeSH
• Encephalitozoon cuniculi izolace a purifikace   patogenita   MeSH
• encephalitozoonóza mikrobiologie   MeSH
• fermentované potraviny mikrobiologie   MeSH
• imunokompromitovaný pacient MeSH
• maso mikrobiologie   MeSH
• modely u zvířat MeSH
• myši inbrední BALB C MeSH
• myši inbrední C57BL MeSH
• myši MeSH
• potravinářská mikrobiologie * MeSH
• prasata MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• myši MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH

The present study was conducted to evaluate the methanolic extracts from several plant leaves widely used in traditional medicine to cure digestive tract disorders and in the self-medication of wild animals such as non-human primates, namely Archidendron fagifolium, Diospyros sumatrana, Shorea sumatrana, and Piper betle leaves, with regard to their antimicrosporidial activity against Encephalitozoon cuniculi in immunocompetent BALB/c mice determined using molecular detection of microsporidial DNA (qPCR) in various tissues and body fluids of infected, treated mice. Of the plant extracts tested, Diospyros sumatrana provided the most promising results, reducing spore shedding by 88% compared to untreated controls. Moreover, total burden per 1 g of tissue in the D. sumatrana extract-treated group reached 87% reduction compared to untreated controls, which was comparable to the effect of the standard drug, Albendazole. This data represents the baseline necessary for further research focused on determining the structure, activity and modes of action of the active compounds, mainly of D. sumatrana, enabling subsequent development of antimicrosporidial remedies.

• MeSH
• albendazol farmakologie   terapeutické užití   MeSH
• antifungální látky farmakologie   terapeutické užití   MeSH
• Cercopithecus aethiops MeSH
• dimethylsulfoxid farmakologie   terapeutické užití   MeSH
• Diospyros chemie   MeSH
• Dipterocarpaceae chemie   MeSH
• DNA fungální izolace a purifikace   MeSH
• Encephalitozoon cuniculi účinky léků   MeSH
• encephalitozoonóza farmakoterapie   MeSH
• Fabaceae chemie   MeSH
• feces parazitologie   MeSH
• gastrointestinální trakt mikrobiologie   MeSH
• imunokompetence MeSH
• listy rostlin chemie   MeSH
• myši inbrední BALB C MeSH
• myši MeSH
• Piper betle chemie   MeSH
• rostlinné extrakty farmakologie   terapeutické užití   MeSH
• spory hub účinky léků   MeSH
• Vero buňky MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• myši MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• Geografické názvy
• Indonésie MeSH

BACKGROUND: Infectious diseases represent the greatest threats to endangered species, and transmission from humans to wildlife under increased anthropogenic pressure has been always stated as a major risk of habituation. AIMS: To evaluate the impact of close contact with humans on the occurrence of potentially zoonotic protists in great apes, one hundred mountain gorillas (Gorilla beringei beringei) from seven groups habituated either for tourism or for research in Volcanoes National Park, Rwanda were screened for the presence of microsporidia, Cryptosporidium spp. and Giardia spp. using molecular diagnostics. RESULTS: The most frequently detected parasites were Enterocytozoon bieneusi found in 18 samples (including genotype EbpA, D, C, gorilla 2 and five novel genotypes gorilla 4-8) and Encephalitozoon cuniculi with genotype II being more prevalent (10 cases) compared to genotype I (1 case). Cryptosporidium muris (2 cases) and C. meleagridis (2 cases) were documented in great apes for the first time. Cryptosporidium sp. infections were identified only in research groups and occurrence of E. cuniculi in research groups was significantly higher in comparison to tourist groups. No difference in prevalence of E. bieneusi was observed between research and tourist groups. CONCLUSION: Although our data showed the presence and diversity of important opportunistic protists in Volcanoes gorillas, the source and the routes of the circulation remain unknown. Repeated individual sampling, broad sampling of other hosts sharing the habitat with gorillas and quantification of studied protists would be necessary to acquire more complex data.

• MeSH
• Cryptosporidium klasifikace   genetika   izolace a purifikace   MeSH
• Encephalitozoon klasifikace   genetika   izolace a purifikace   MeSH
• encephalitozoonóza epidemiologie   mikrobiologie   MeSH
• fylogeneze MeSH
• Giardia klasifikace   genetika   izolace a purifikace   MeSH
• giardiáza epidemiologie   parazitologie   MeSH
• Hominidae MeSH
• intergenová DNA genetika   MeSH
• kryptosporidióza epidemiologie   parazitologie   MeSH
• molekulární sekvence - údaje MeSH
• nemoci lidoopů epidemiologie   mikrobiologie   parazitologie   MeSH
• veřejné parky MeSH
• zoonózy epidemiologie   mikrobiologie   parazitologie   MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH
• Geografické názvy
• Rwanda MeSH